OF THE
MERRIMACK
VALLEY CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL, AFL-CIO
Preamble
03/02
The establishment of this Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO as a subordinate unit of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is an expression of the desire of the unions in this community to participate fully in the achievements of the objectives of the parent Federation as it seeks to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the working people of all America. We shall do this work in the following cities and towns: Acton, Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxboro, Boxford, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Littleton, Lowell, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Rowley, Salisbury, South Groveland, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, West Newbury and
Wilmington .
At the dawn of a new millennium, we proclaim a new alliance to improve the lives of and increase power for working families, bring fairness and dignity to the workplace and secure social equity. We will prevail by mobilizing our members to support our cause and building a strong, diverse, free and democratic labor movement.
We pledge ourselves to the more effective organizing of working men and women: to the securing to them of full recognition and enjoyment of the rights to which they are justly entitled; to the achievement of ever higher standards of living and working conditions; to the attainment of security for all the people to the enjoyment of the leisure which their skills make possible; and to the strengthening and extension of our way of life and fundamental freedoms which are the basis of our democratic society.
We will organize to a political voice to workers in our area. We will fight for a public policy agenda favorable to working families at all levels of government. We will assemble a broad coalition for social and economic justice. We will create a political force within the labor movement that will speak forcefully and persuasively on the public issues that affect our lives.
We will establish unions as active forces in our communities. We will build our Union City to make the voices of working families heard. We will strengthen the ties of labor with our allies. We will speak out effectively and creatively on behalf of all workers in our communities.
We shall combat resolutely the forces, which seek to undermine the democratic institutions of our nation and to enslave the human soul. We shall strive to always win full respect for the dignity of the human individual that our unions serve.
With divine guidance, grateful for the fine traditions of our past, confident of meeting the challenge of the future, we proclaim this constitution.
This organization shall be known as the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council AFL-CIO. hereinafter referred to as the Central Body. It shall at all times maintain affiliation with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations in accordance with the Constitution and Rules of that organization. As a chartered organization of the AFL-CIO this central body shall conform its activities on state matters to the policies of the state central body, and on national affairs to the policies of the AFL-CIO.
ARTICLE II-PURPOSE
The purpose of this Central Body shall be to promote, through appropriate activities in the geographical area covered by the charter of the Central Body, the principles of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, including the following:
(a) To assist in promoting the objectives and policies of the AFL-CIO, and organizations affiliated with the AFL-CIO;
(b) To promote and assist the organizing activities of local unions and their parent national or international unions or organizing committees affiliated with the AFL-CIO;
(c) To provide aid, cooperation and assistance to affiliated local unions and other affiliated bodies in their common and individual endeavors;
(d) To propose, support and promote legislation favorable to and to oppose legislation detrimental to the interest of workers and organized labor;
(e) To strongly encourage workers to register and vote if eligible, to exercise their full rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and to perform their rightful part in the political life of the local, state and national communities;
(f) To serve as a means of exchanging information among affiliated bodies on matters of common interest;
(g) To engage in such other activities as are consistent with the objects and principles set forth in the Constitution of the AFL-CIO and the policies of the AFL-CIO including the Rules Governing AFL-CIO Area Labor Councils.
ARTICLE III-COMPOSITION AND DELEGATES
Section 1. This Central Body shall be composed exclusively of such of the following organizations within the geographical limits covered by the Central Body's Charter as shall conform to this constitution and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto:
(a) Local Unions of National and International Unions and organizing committees affiliated with the AFL-CIO, and Local Unions chartered directly by the AFL-CIO;
(b) Local Councils chartered by the Trade and Industrial Departments of the AFL-CIO; and,
(c) Joint Boards, District Councils and similar subordinate organizations, which are duly chartered by an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
(d) Associate Member Organizations, retiree and constituency groups as approved by the AFL-CIO. No AFL-CIO constituency group, or its delegate, may be present for or have voice or vote in any meeting or proceeding concerning the endorsement of a political candidate or other partisan political activity concerning public elected office by this central body, nor may any constituency group, or its delegate, be present for or have voice or vote in any meeting or decision of this central body=s Committee on Political Education. Please note: new!
(e) Disqualifications.
(1) No local central body shall affiliate or retain as an affiliate any organization not affiliated with the AFL-CIO or with an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, or any organization that has been suspended or expelled by a parent body affiliated with the AFL-CIO or by the AFL-CIO.
(2) Any local central body shall have the power to suspend or expel any organization affiliated with it upon conviction, after charges, notice and hearing, of having engaged in conduct or a course of activity hostile or contrary to the best interest of the central body or contrary to its constitution or bylaws.
(3) No organization officered controlled or dominated by persons whose policies and activities are consistently directed toward the achievement of the program or purposes of authoritarianism, totalitarianism, terrorism and other forces that suppress individual liberties and freedom of association shall be permitted as an affiliate of any local central body.
Section 2. Affiliated local unions in good standing shall be entitled to representation based on per capita tax paid according to the following schedule:
# of members = # of delegates
50 or less 2 delegates
51-100 3 delegates
101-200 4 delegates
201-400 5 delegates
401-700 6 delegates
701-1100 7 delegates
Section 3 Affiliated subordinate bodies other than local unions shall be entitled to one delegate and one vote each.
Section 4 No person shall be eligible to serve as a delegate unless a member of a local union affiliated with this central body or unless a National or International Union representative regularly servicing such an affiliated union. No person shall be eligible to serve as a delegate who holds a salaried position, or any other position of administrative or executive authority, in a union or any subordinate branch of a union, which has been suspended or expelled from the AFL-CIO.
Section 5. No delegate shall be seated except upon presentation of a proper credential from an affiliated organization in good standing, which credential shall be examined and attested to by the Credential's Committee as to the eligibility of the delegate and the standing of the organization sending the delegate. The report of the Credential's Committee shall not be made until the Committee shall have had adequate opportunity to examine the credential and to ascertain its validity, but in no case shall the report be delayed beyond the meeting following the meeting at which the credential was first presented.
Section 6. The President of the AFL-CIO, and his designees, shall have the right to participate, and have a voice, in all central body activities, meetings, and deliberations.
Section 7. Upon acceptance of a delegate's credential, the presiding officer shall administer the following obligation: "I, (name of delegate), do solemnly pledge my honor that I will obey the rules and regulations of this Central Body and, to the best of my ability, perform all the duties I may be called on to discharge as a delegate thereto. I also pledge that I will qualify myself to vote in all local, state and federal elections, if eligible to do so."
ARTICLE IV-VOTING
Section 1. Except on roll call votes, each delegate shall be entitled to one vote. Voting shall be by voice vote or division of the house (show of hands or standing vote) unless a roll call vote is properly demanded by the required number of delegates as provided for in Sec. 2 of this Article. Delegates shall be allowed to carry the votes of another delegate from the same local provided such proxy has been filed with the Central Body Secretary-Treasurer at least seven days in advance of the annual meeting.
Section 2. A roll call vote shall be held on any pending question, including election of officers, upon demand of thirty percent (30%) or more of the delegates present.
Section 4. The average membership of a local union shall be determined on the basis of per capita tax payments for the first twelve of the immediately preceding thirteen months. The average membership of a local union affiliated for less than this twelve months period shall be computed from the month of affiliation, and shall be determined by dividing the total per capita tax paid for all months affiliated by twelve.
Section 5. The votes of a local union shall be divided equally among all its accredited delegates present and each delegate shall be entitled to cast only his assigned number of votes, except that to facilitate the calling of the roll one delegate may be designated to cast all of the votes of the delegates representing the local union, provided that if any delegate shall challenge the correctness of the votes so cast the individual delegates of that local union shall be polled.
Section 6. The Secretary-Treasurer shall maintain, on a current basis, the official roll of delegates, showing the average membership of each local union as established under the provisions of Article IV, Section 3 and 4.
ARTICLE V-MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular meetings of the Central Body shall be held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM. Due notice shall be given all affiliated organizations and/or delegates of meeting time and place.
Section 2. Special meetings for consideration of specified matters shall be held when ordered by a regular meeting of the Central Body or by vote of the Executive Board. Written notice of the special meeting shall be given to all affiliated organizations and/or to each delegate at least five days in advance of the meeting. The matter, or matters, for consideration of the special meeting shall be stated in the notice and no other business shall be transacted.
Section 3. Delegates representing 25% of affiliated local unions shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business.
ARTICLE VI-OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. The officers of the Central Body shall consist of a President, an Executive Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, a Recording Secretary, Vice Presidents for: Building Trades, Public, Industrial, and Service Sectors. and 3 Trustees. The President shall appoint Vice Presidents for the Greater Lowell, Greater Lawrence and Greater Haverhill areas. These officers together shall constitute the executive board.
(a) The Vice President for the Building Trades shall be elected by the delegates of the Merrimack Valley Building Trades Council.
Section 2. (a) Each candidate, at the time of the nomination and at all times during the term of office, shall be a duly accredited delegate from an affiliated organization. If the officer’s ceases to be a delegate the office held shall thereby become vacant and a special election as elsewhere provided for in this constitution shall be held to fill the vacancy.
Section 3 The Central body shall strive to achieve a governing council that reflects the diversity of the membership of the organization represented by the Central Body. Toward this end, the Executive Board of the Central Body may appoint up to two members to the Executive Board, which shall be in addition to the members listed in Section 1. The term for these seats shall expire at the same time as other Executive Board officers.
Section 4. The term of office shall be 3 years and each officer shall hold office until a successor has been elected and installed.
Section 5. In accordance with the AFL-CIO Ethical Practices Code, no person who is convicted of any felony involving the infliction of grievous bodily injury, any crime of dishonesty, or any crime involving abuse of misuse of such person=s position, shall serve as an officer or managerial employee of the Central Body.
Section 6 Not more than two delegates from the same local union, nor more than three delegates from different locals of the same National or International Union, shall be eligible to hold office (appointed or otherwise) at the same time.
Section 7 The election shall be held at the regular meeting in the month of April. Nominations shall be opened at the meeting in the preceding month and may be reopened at any time prior to the election by majority vote. The election shall not be postponed except for absence of a quorum or by order of the AFL-CIO. A postponed election shall be held at the first succeeding regular meeting with due notice being given all affiliated organizations, or as may be directed by the AFL-CIO.
Section 8. Installation of officers shall be held at the conclusion of the election, except that an officer-elect who is unavoidably absent shall be installed at the earliest possible meeting following the election, or may be given the obligation at a meeting of the Executive Board.
Section 9. (a) The election for uncontested offices may be by acclamation. The election for contested offices shall be held by voice vote, or roll call. The officers shall be elected by plurality vote and the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
(b) In the event an election results in a violation of Section 5 of this Article the person involved who is elected to the office with highest rank shall be declared elected and another election shall be held for the other office or offices affected. For purposes of this subsection the rank of the offices shall be determined by the order named in Section 1 of this Article. In case the violation involves candidates for Trustee the rank among the Trustees shall be determined by the number of votes received.
(c) Run-off elections under subsection (b) or subsection (c) or which are made necessary by a tie vote may be deferred until the next regular meeting by majority vote of the Central Body.
Section 10 Election by roll call may be conducted orally, or it may be conducted by written or printed ballots where deemed desirable to expedite the holding of the election, provided each ballot clearly shows the name, organization and number of votes the delegate casting the ballot. The roll call sheet and ballots shall become part of the records of the central labor council and shall be preserved and available for examination by any delegate or officer of an affiliated organization for a period of not less than six months. If an election appeal is filed, the roll call sheet and ballots shall not be destroyed until after a final decision has been rendered and all appeals have been exhausted.
Section 11 In the event of a vacancy in any office, the position shall be filled by a special election, with nominations at the next meeting following the vacancy and the election at the succeeding meeting. If the vacancy occurs with more than half the term filled, the Executive Board shall make a temporary appointment to fill out the term.
Section 12. No less than 30 nor more than 120 days prior to an election of labor council officers, the Council shall compile and notify each affiliate organization of the availability of a list containing the following information: (i) the name and address of each of the central body=s elected officers (including Executive Board members); (ii) the name and mailing address of each of the organizations affiliated with the central body; (iii) the name of each of the affiliated organization=s principal officers; (iv) each organization=s projected per capita voting strength and delegate entitlement at the election; and (v) to the extent available, the names and mailing addresses of the delegates. Officers of organizations affiliated with the local central body shall also be entitled to inspect at the place where the records are kept and to make their own notes concerning the most current underlying records relating to the information included in the list provided above.
Section 13. Before entering upon the duties each officer-elect shall assume the following obligation: "I, (give name), do hereby promise to faithfully perform all the duties of the office to which I have been elected to the best of my ability and to uphold the constitution of the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council and of the AFL-CIO. I further promise to deliver all property in my possession belonging to this Central Body to my successor in office and to surrender such property to the President of the AFL-CIO upon his official demand."
ARTICLE VII-Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall be the presiding officer of all meetings of the Central Body and of the Executive Board. Shall countersign all orders for the payment of funds of the Central Body. Shall exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities of the Central Body and shall perform such other duties as usually appertain to the office and as may be ordered by the Central Body or the Executive Board. Shall have power to interpret this Constitution, subject to ratification of the Central Body. Shall be ex-officio a member of all committees. May appoint as many Sergeants-at-Arms as necessary to assist in maintaining order and in the conduct of meetings of the Central Body.
Section 2. The Executive Vice President shall perform the duties of the President when absent or incapacitated and shall assist the President when requested. He/she may be a co-signer on checks of the council in the absence of the President or Secretary-Treasurer.
Section 3. (a) The Secretary-Treasurer shall be the custodian of the records of the Central Body.
(b) The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of this Central Body upon proper authorization. Shall maintain adequate financial records showing the standing of all affiliated organizations and the source and disposition of all funds. Shall handle the funds and keep the financial records in a manner which will meet the applicable requirements of the Code of Ethical Practices concerning accounting and financial controls as approved by the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO and as may be required by the Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO under the rules governing local Central Bodies and shall file reports as required by the AFL-CIO and state and federal governments and the Trustees.
(c) The Secretary-Treasurer shall submit to the Central Body a monthly financial statement of all funds, showing the accounts in such detail as the Executive Board or the Central Body may require, and shall submit the books for audit on request of the Executive Board, but at least annually.
Section 4. The Recording Secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Central Body and of the Executive Board and lead introductions at all meetings.
Section 5. The Trustees shall be the custodians of the physical properties of the Central
Body and shall prepare and maintain an inventory of all such properties showing the date of
purchase, the cost and estimated current value. They shall examine the records of the Secretary
Treasurer quarterly and shall report to the Central Body on the condition of these records.
Section 6. (a) Every officer and employee of the Central Body, whether elected or appointed, has a high fiduciary duty and sacred trust to serve the best interest of the members honestly and faithfully.
(b) No officer or employee shall own property or have a personal financial interest which conflicts with the full performance of his/her fiduciary duties.
(c) All officers and employees shall abide by the applicable standards of
conduct mandated by the AFL-CIO Ethical Practices Code.
ARTICLE VIII-Executive Board
Section 1. The Executive Board shall be composed of all the officers enumerated in Article VI, Section 1.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall be the governing body of the Central Body between meetings and it is authorized and empowered to take such action and render such decisions as may be necessary to carry out fully the decisions and instructions of the Central Body and as may be necessary and appropriate to safeguard and promote the best interests of the Central Body and its affiliated unions.
Section 4. The Executive Board shall have the power to make a temporary appointment to any office not otherwise provided for in this Constitution for the period of a temporary disability or the absence of an officer or, incase of a permanent vacancy, until a special election has been held. A special election will be held if the vacancy occurs before half the term is served.
Section 5. A quorum for transaction of the business of the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of its members.
ARTICLE IX – Appointments to Government and Community Boards
Central Labor Council appointments to government, quasi-government and community boards shall be made only after consultation and approval of the Executive Board. Appointees shall be members of local unions or organizations affiliated with the central labor council. (Appointees shall not be subject to compensation of lost-wages from the Central Labor Council unless approved in advance by the central labor council.)
ARTICLE X- Charges and Hearings
Section 1. Any affiliated organization by vote of its membership, or any officer of or delegate to the Central Body shall have the right to file charges (a) against any delegate to the Central body for having engaged in conduct or a course of activity hostile or contrary to the best interests of this Central Body or contrary to its constitution, or (b) against any officer of the Central Body for violating the Constitution or rules of the AFL-CIO or the Constitution of this Central Body, or for conduct unbecoming an officer, misappropriation of funds, malfeasance in office or neglect of duty, or (c) against any organization affiliated with the Central Body for having engaged in conduct or a course of activity hostile or contrary to the best interests of the Central Body or contrary to this Constitution.
Section 2. All charges shall be in writing, specifying the particular act or acts charged; shall be signed by the charging party or by its officers, if an affiliated organization; and shall be filed with the President or the Secretary-Treasurer of the Central Body, or with any other officer of the Central Body, if both the President and the Secretary-Treasurer are charged.
Section 3. Upon receipt of the charges properly filed the officer receiving the charges shall present them to the Executive Board at its next meeting and the Executive Board shall determine by majority vote whether or not the charges merit a hearing.
Section 4. The Executive Board may take appropriate disciplinary action, including the suspension or expulsion of any delegate or affiliated organization, and the suspension or removal of any officer found guilty of the charges by a two-thirds vote, following a hearing, of which the accused shall have been notified and furnished with a copy of the charges not less than thirty days in advance of the hearing. Both the accused and the charging party shall be accorded full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence.
Section 5. The decision of the Executive Board under Section 3 or Section 4 shall be reported to the next meeting of the Central Body. Such decision shall be final and binding unless appealed as hereinafter provided.
Section 6. The decision of the Executive Board may be appealed to the Central body by either party. Notice of such appeal shall be filed in writing with the President or the
Section 7. The final decision of the Central Body may be appealed to the AFL-CIO as provided in the rules of the AFL-CIO governing Local Central Bodies. The decision of the Central Body shall remain in effect during appeal unless reversed, modified or temporarily stayed by the AFL-CIO.
Section 8. An election appeal shall follow the same steps as above.
ARTICLE XI-Per Capita Taxes and Fees
Section 1. Affiliated local unions shall pay a monthly per capita tax of 10 cents on all its members regularly employed within the jurisdiction of this Central Body. A local union desiring to affiliate shall pay one month's per capita tax at the time of affiliation. Per capita tax for succeeding months shall be due on the first of each month thereafter. Per capita tax in each case shall be based on the number of dues-paying members for the preceding month. If per capita tax for any month is not paid by the first of the following month the local union shall be deemed in arrears.
Section 2. Other affiliated organizations (as defined in Article III, Sections 1 and 2), shall pay an annual fee of $50. Any such organization desiring to affiliate shall pay one year's fee at the time of affiliating. The annual fee for succeeding years shall be due on the first of the month each year thereafter and, if not paid by the first of the succeeding month after it is due, the organization shall be deemed in arrears.
Section 3. A local union or other organization which becomes two months in arrears shall be so notified in writing by the Secretary-Treasurer and if it becomes three months in arrears shall not be considered in good standing and shall not be entitled to voice or vote in meetings of this Central Body. It shall be so notified in writing by the Secretary-Treasurer.
Section 4. A local union or other organization which becomes four months in arrears shall stand suspended from membership and shall be so notified in writing by the Secretary-Treasurer.
Section 5. A local union or other organization which has been suspended, or which has withdrawn from membership, may be reinstated by payment of all amounts due at the time of suspension or withdrawal and the current per capita tax or annual fee. However, the average membership of a reinstated local union for purposes of roll call voting shall be computed from the date of reinstatement as if it were a newly affiliated local union, unless the local union shall pay the back per capita tax for the full base period used to determine the average membership as heretofore defined.
Section 7. The Executive board may exonerate any local union from payment of per capita tax for any month that in the opinion of the Executive Board good cause therefore exists, subject to ratification by the Central Body. Exonerated members shall be regarded, for purposes of this Constitution, as paid up members for the period of exoneration, but the delegates representing such local shall not vote on the question of exoneration.
ARTICLE XII-Financial Practices and Audits
Section 1. All funds of this Central Body shall be placed on deposit in a national bank or other federally insured financial institution, as designated by the Executive Board and shall be paid out only by check bearing the signatures of the President and the Secretary-Treasurer. No funds shall be expended unless authorized by the Central Body (or the Executive Board in case of emergency). (All invoices, receipts and other supporting documents shall be attached to the voucher, which shall be signed by the Secretary-Treasurer and countersigned by the President or in the absence of either of these by the Executive Vice-President..
Section 2. The accounts and financial records of the Central Body, including all committees and subordinate agencies of the Central Body, shall be audited annually, and shall cover the full calendar year. These audits shall be submitted by the Trustees to the Central Body and a copy sent to the AFL-CIO. The Executive Board may require more frequent audits or examination of the accounts and financial records of the Secretary-Treasure in its discretion.
Section 3. Upon authorization of the Executive Board and pending availability of funds, officers, delegates and other authorized persons shall be reimbursed for necessary and legitimate expenses, including actual loss of salary, which may be incurred in the performance of authorized activities for the Central Body. An itemized accounting of such expenses shall be submitted to the Executive Board.
Section 4. All officers and agents of this Central Body having a financial responsibility shall be covered by a fidelity bond in an amount to be determined by the Executive Board, or as may be required by the Secretary Treasurer of the AFL-CIO. Should the amount of this bond exceed the amount of the bond regularly furnished without cost by the AFL-CIO the Central Body shall pay the additional cost of such bond.
ARTICLE XIII-Committees
Section 1. The following standing committees shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Executive Board: Credentials and Ethics. Other committees may include, but not limited to: Mobilization, Community Action, Affiliations, Organizing, Education, Civil Rights, Elections and Constitution and Bylaws.
.
Section 3. Special Committees may be established from time to time by the Central Body as needed and shall be appointed by the President unless otherwise directed by the Central Body.
Section 4. All Committees shall report regularly to the Central Body and any Committee which fails to function shall be dismissed and a new Committee appointed.
ARTICLE XIV-Legislative and Political Action
Section 1. The legislative activities of the Central Body shall be under the direction of the Executive Board. These activities shall conform to the policies of the State AFL-CIO on state matters and to the policies of the National AFL-CIO on national affairs, and to the policies adopted by the Central Body and the decisions of the Executive Board on local matters.
Section 2. The political activities of the Central Body shall be under the direction of the Central Body's Committee on Political Education, which is hereby constituted as the political arm of this Central Body. The Central Body's Committee on Political Education shall operate in conformity with the policies of the AFL-CIO and of the National and State COPE's.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall constitute the Central Body's Committee on Political Education. Additional members may be added to the committee by properly approved By Laws. The Central Body's Committee on Political Education shall have power to formulate By-Laws to govern COPE which shall be consistent with the policies of National COPE. Such By-Laws shall be subject to ratification by the Central Body and approval of the AFL-CIO.
ARTICLE XV-Rules, Parliamentary Authority and Amendments
Section 1. The procedures to be followed by this Central Body with respect to Boycotts, Unfair Lists, Strikes, Collective Bargaining and Publications issued or endorsed by this Central Body, and in all other matters, shall be in accord with the AFL-CIO Rules Governing Local Central Bodies.
Section 2. In case of conflict between the provisions of this Constitution or other laws or actions of this Central Body and the Constitution of the AFL-CIO and/or the Rules Governing Local Central Bodies issued by the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO, the latter shall prevail and appropriate steps shall be taken by the Executive Board to initiate such amendment to this Constitution or to change or modify the laws or actions of this Central Body as necessary to bring them into conformity with the Constitution and Rules of the AFL-CIO.
Section 4. This Constitution may be amended by any regular meeting of this Central Body by two-thirds of the votes cast, provided the proposed amendment(s) shall have been submitted in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer at the preceding regular meeting and properly certified by an affiliated organization or by a delegate representing an affiliated organization. Amendments may also be proposed by the Executive Board. All proposed amendments shall be read in full at the meeting at which received and copies shall be sent by mail available upon request to all delegates prior to final consideration. Amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted to the President of the AFL-CIO and shall become effective when approved by the President of the AFL-CIO.
INDEX
Article Section Page Page
Affiliates III 1,2 2,3
Amendments XV 4 12
Appointments to Boards IX 9
Boycotts XV 1 12
Charges and Hearings IX 1-7 9,10
Collective Bargaining XV 1 12
Committees XIII 1-4 11
Composition of Central Body III 1,2 3,4
COPE XIV 2-3 12
Credentials III 6 4
Delegates III 2-8 3,4
Elections VI 1-11 5-7
Ethical Practices Committee XIII 1-2 11
Executive Board VIII 1-6 8
Financial Practices VII 2(a)-2(c) 8
Financial Practices XII 1,2 10
Hearings X 1-7 9,10
Meetings V 1-3 5
Name I 1,2
Nominations VI 5,6
Objects 11 2
Obligation, delegates III 6 3,4
Obligation, officers VI 13 7
Officers: VI 1(a),(b) 5
Duties VII 1-5 8
Duties VIII 2&4 8
Elections VI 5-12 6,7
Eligibility VI 1(b),2 5
Limit on VI 4 5
Obligation VI 13 7
Term VI 4 6
Vacancies VI 11 7
Vacancies VIII 4 9
Parliamentary Authority XV 3 12
Per Capita Tax and Fees:
Arrears XI 3,4 10
Exonerations XI 7 10
Full Payment XI 6 10
Local Unions XI 1 10
Other Organizations XI 2 10
Reinstatement XI 5 10
Suspension XI 4 10
Political Action XIV 2,3 12
Publications XV 1 12
Roll Call Voting IV 1-5 4
Rules of AFL-CIO XV 1,2 12
Strikes XV 1 12
Unfair Lists XV 1 12
Voting:
Elections VI 7 6
Other than roll call IV 1 4
Proxies IV 1 4
Roll Calls IV 1-5 4
